Explanation
COUNCIL VARIANCE: CV02-044.
APPLICANT: John and Clydedina Bocook, c/o Laura Comek, Attorney; Crabbe, Brown & James, LLC; 500 S. Front Street, Ste. 1200; Columbus, Ohio 43215.
PROPOSED USE: Boat and recreational vehicle storage, two-family residential dwelling and entrance driveway.
GREATER HILLTOP AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Disapproval. This variance will permit the continuation of an outdoor boat and recreational vehicle storage business and a two-family dwelling in the R-2, Residential District with both uses having vehicular access through a lot zoned in the R, Rural District. The owners of the property established a boat and recreational vehicle storage business and converted a building into a two-family dwelling without obtaining a certificate of zoning clearance or building permits and have been cited by Code Enforcement. The site is surrounded by the rear yards of a single-family subdivision. The applicant proposes to store not more than a total of thirty boats and recreational vehicles on a ±22,000 square foot paved area and limit hours of operation from 8:00a.m. to 10:00p.m., and to screen the outside storage yard along the east, south and west property lines with an arbor vitae hedge planted in a 1-3 foot wide buffer zone located along the exterior of an existing five-foot high chain link fence. Screening is not provided along the north property line that also borders residential rear yards. Staff recommends disapproval noting that boat and recreational vehicle storage is appropriately only permitted in manufacturing zoning districts and with at least a 100-foot separation from residential properties. This proposal represents an inappropriate use in a residential neighborhood and lacks adequate setbacks, buffering and screening. A Council Variance is required in that an outdoor boat and recreational vehicle storage business and a two-family dwelling are not permitte...
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